Frank Schaefer, pastor defrocked over gay wedding, offered job

A United Methodist pastor from Lebanon County who was defrocked after officiating his son's gay wedding has been invited by a California Methodist bishop to serve in her region.

PHILADELPHIA -

A United Methodist pastor from Lebanon County who was defrocked after officiating his son's gay wedding has been invited by a California Methodist bishop to serve in her region.

Frank Schaefer said he is deciding whether to accept the offer from Bishop Minerva G. Carcano to join the California-Pacific Annual Conference. The region includes California, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.

Carcano does not have the authority to restore his credentials but he said he would have the same rights.

Schaefer on Friday appealed the decision of the church's regional Board of Ordained Ministry to defrock him.

A church jury suspended him for 30 days last month and told him to decide whether he would uphold the church's Book of Discipline or resign. Schaefer refused to surrender his credentials.

Copyright 2013 WFMZ. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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